THE official Facebook page of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), a media organization backed by detained televangelist and senatorial candidate Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, is no longer accessible on the platform.
This marks another instance wherein the social media pages associated with Quiboloy have been removed, including his personal Facebook account.
As of present, Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has not issued an official statement regarding the removal.
The SMNI, through its program “Pulso ng Bayan” page, reported that Meta had suspended SMNI News and its affiliated pages, including DZAR 1026 and SMNI Integrated News.
SMNI also released a statement on its official website, asserting its commitment to delivering what it describes as "the truth that matters."
Meta has previously removed the Facebook page of the program Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa, a talk show formerly hosted by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
According to SMNI, it was not given the opportunity to appeal the decision. The program, however, remains accessible on YouTube and TikTok.
SMNI, owned by Swara Sug Media Corporation, serves as the broadcasting arm of Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
The network has previously been criticized for allegedly spreading disinformation and propaganda, particularly in support of the Duterte administration.
This is not the first time SMNI-affiliated channels have been removed from social media platforms.
In 2023, YouTube terminated the accounts of SMNI News, the program Laban Kasama ang Bayan, and Quiboloy’s KJC channel, citing compliance with U.S. sanctions. These sanctions were imposed in connection with Quiboloy’s indictment in the United States on charges including sex trafficking, fraud, and money laundering. TikTok also removed Quiboloy’s account in July 2023.
Quiboloy, who is currently facing multiple legal charges including child abuse and human trafficking, has previously dismissed these allegations, stating that the accusations remain unchanged.
He was arrested by authorities in September last year, although the pastor's camp claimed that the religious leader had surrendered and was not arrested.
The controversial pastor, meanwhile, is also a senatorial candidate, endorsed by Duterte's party, PDP-Laban. RGL